Norwalk Deed Records
Deed records for Norwalk are kept by the Los Angeles County Recorder office which is located right in the city. The city does not maintain its own deed files. All property transfers in Norwalk go through the county system. You can search these records online from 1977 to now or visit the recorder office in person. Norwalk has over 103,000 people and sits in southeast LA County. Because the county recorder office is in Norwalk at 12400 East Imperial Highway, city residents have easy access for in-person filing and research. This is a big convenience compared to other LA County cities where residents must travel to Norwalk to visit the recorder.
Norwalk Quick Facts
County Recorder in Norwalk
Los Angeles County Recorder handles all deed filings for Norwalk. The office is at 12400 East Imperial Highway, Room 1002, in Norwalk. This is the main recording office for all 88 cities in LA County. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. You can call (800) 201-8999 or email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov.
Norwalk residents can walk to the recorder office if they live nearby. This makes it easy to file deeds in person or do research on public records. You can also file by mail or through electronic recording. Most title companies use eRecording because it is faster. Documents submitted electronically often process the same day. Paper deeds can take longer depending on volume.
For more information about Los Angeles County's deed recording services, visit the Los Angeles County deed records page where you can find detailed information about the recorder office, fees, online databases, and how to search for property documents throughout the county including Norwalk and all other LA County cities.
Search Norwalk Property Deeds
LA County uses LexisNexis for online deed searches. Go to paymentsolutions.lexisnexis.com/ca/co/rrccrecords to access the portal. You can search by name, document number, or legal description. The database goes back to 1977. Older records are on file at the Norwalk office but not available online.
To search for a Norwalk deed, enter the owner name. The system shows all matching deeds in LA County. Make sure to check the address to confirm you found the right property. Some people own land in multiple cities. Click on a result to see details like the recording date and document type.
If you want the full deed image, you must pay a fee. The online system shows basic info for free but charges for document images. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Certified copies have the county seal and can be used in court or for lenders. Plain copies do not have the seal.
Most Norwalk property deeds are grant deeds. These are the standard type for home sales in California. The seller grants the property to the buyer with implied covenants. Under state law, this means the seller has not sold it to anyone else and there are no hidden liens. Quitclaim deeds are also common for family transfers or to clear title defects.
Fees for Recording Deeds
LA County charges $95 to record the first page of a deed. This includes the $15 base fee, $75 SB2 housing fee, and $5 fraud prevention fee. Each extra page costs $3. Most deeds are two or three pages. A three-page deed costs $101 total to record.
These fees are the same for Norwalk and every other LA County city. The county sets the fees. Cities do not charge separate recording fees. Transfer taxes are different from recording fees. Recording fees are based on the number of pages. Transfer taxes are based on the sale price.
Documentary transfer tax in LA County is 55 cents per $500 of the purchase price. The city of Norwalk does not have its own city transfer tax. You only pay the county rate. This makes Norwalk less expensive for closing costs compared to LA city which has its own city transfer tax including the high Measure ULA tax on expensive properties.
If you need a certified copy of a deed, the county charges $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Certification adds the county seal. Courts and lenders require certified copies. Plain copies cost $5 for the first page but cannot be used for legal purposes.
California Deed Laws
All deed recordings in California follow state law. The key statute is California Civil Code Section 1091 which requires real property transfers to be in writing and signed. You cannot transfer land with an oral agreement. The deed must be written and recorded.
Grant deeds include implied covenants under Civil Code Section 1113 which says the grantor promises they have not conveyed the property to another person and the property is free from liens except those disclosed. These promises are automatic when you use the word grant in your deed.
Recording fees are set by Government Code Section 27361 which caps how much counties can charge. County recorders have duties listed in Government Code Section 27201 which requires them to record any document that meets legal standards and for which proper fees are paid.
Recording a deed gives constructive notice under Civil Code Sections 1213-1214 which establish California's race-notice recording system. The first buyer to record usually wins if there are competing claims. Always record your deed as soon as possible after closing.
Other LA County Cities
Los Angeles County has 88 cities total. All use the same county recorder in Norwalk. Other nearby cities include:
All LA County residents file deeds at the Norwalk office regardless of which city they live in. Some cities like Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, and Pomona have their own city transfer taxes. Norwalk does not have a city transfer tax. Check with your title company about local taxes before closing.